Shanghai, China – Delegates from around the world gathered in Shanghai for the 98th UIM General Assembly and annual Meeting Week, hosted by the Government of the Baoshan District and the China WaterSki, Underwater & Powerboat Federation. The meetings of the various UIM Commissions and Committees were preceded by the UIM F1H2O World Championship Round, held for the second consecutive year in the waters of the brand-new Cruise Terminal of the Shanghai-Baoshan District.
More than a hundred delegates attended the meetings in Shanghai which focused on the review of the sporting and technical regulations for the 2026 season, the reinforcement of related safety arrangements, Youth Development, Training and Education programs, as well as fostering social and environmental sustainability.
The Open Forum preceding the General Assembly offered the Promoters of the UIM flagship racing series such as F1 and E1 the opportunity to give the delegates of the UIM Member Federations an insight in their contribution to the development of the powerboating sport. The Promoter of the UIM MotoSurf World Championship who had also organized the MotoSurf competitions that were integrated as first motorsport discipline in the Sports Program of The World Games in Chengdu in August 2025, shared their experience with the delegates attending.
The 98th UIM General Assembly saw all UIM Member Federations vote to confirm, by acclamation, the re-election of Dr. Raffaele Chiulli (ITA), as UIM President for a new four-year term, while Vahur Joala (EST) was reconfirmed as UIM Administrator and Karel Kramer (CZE) obtained the second Administrator mandate put out for election. The General Assembly ratified the affiliation of Vietnam, Georgia, Morocco and Nepal as voting Members as well as the China Macau MotoSurf Federation, the Croatian Powerboat Club and Austrian Club RSC Regau as non-voting members. The Treasurer Report which reported a profit for the 2024 exercise was equally approved by the General Assembly.
The UIM Green Partner ALENS monitored the Event from a sustainability angle and ensured that the 98th UIM General Assembly could be certified as a carbon-neutral event, reflecting the UIM’s continued commitment to environmental responsibility.
UIM President Raffaele Chiulli expressed his satisfaction at the outcome of the meetings and the General Assembly: “I am deeply honoured by the confidence of the UIM Member Federations who overwhelmingly renewed their trust in my leadership to further raise the quality and appeal of the international Powerboating Sport. My efforts will continue embracing environmental responsibility and fostering inclusivity in all respects, commencing with ‘accessibility’ for athletes and for spectators.”
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